Free yoga classes offered during 2010 Vancouver Olympics

The free Yoga classes will take place between Feb. 12 and Feb. 28 at six Metro Vancouver and Whistler YYoga locations, potentially accommodating more than 72,000 participants.

Photograph by: Handout photo
, Vancouver Sun files

VANCOUVER — Welcome to Vancouver — free yoga for everyone!

Yogawear retailer Lululemon and yoga class operator YYoga announced Tuesday they will offer more than 1,200 free yoga classes to visitors and residents during the 2010 Olympics.

The classes will take place between Feb. 12 and Feb. 28 at six Metro Vancouver and Whistler YYoga locations, potentially accommodating more than 72,000 participants. A typical drop-in fee at YYoga ranges from $17 to $20.

“It’s a cool way to show everyone what sets Vancouver apart from other cities,” said Lululemon representative Jennifer Neziol.

Lululemon normally provides free yoga classes at its stores but the partnership with YYoga allows it to expand that offering on a much larger scale during the Olympics. The company invites anyone to join the free classes — including first-timers, avid yogis and elite athletes.

Lululemon, which is not an Olympic sponsor, drew the ire of the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee last months when it launched a new clothing line that tries to capitalize on the upcoming Games. Vanoc said the clothing line — “Cool Sporting Event That Takes Place in British Columbia Between 2009 & 2011 Edition” — clearly pushed the boundaries of the Olympic trademark.

Neziol said Lululemon will publicize the details of its free yoga initiative just before the Olympics begin and noted the company might launch other Games-time programs soon.

The free Yoga classes will take place between Feb. 12 and Feb. 28 at six Metro Vancouver and Whistler YYoga locations, potentially accommodating more than 72,000 participants.

Photograph by: Handout photo, Vancouver Sun files

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